In a new twist on an old problem, mineral exploration companies are asking B.C.’s government to compensate them for consulting with aboriginals before they start drilling and trenching.

“There is a huge cost to consulting with First Nations,” says Gavin Dirom, CEO of B.C.’s Association for Mineral Exploration.

Dirom estimates a tax credit compensating his industry for “aboriginal engagement” would cost taxpayers $10 million to $30 million a year.

He reports provincial officials “seem receptive” to the request, but it did not make it into last week’s provincial budget.

A fairer estimate of costs involved could only be made in considering all the other groups — lumber interests, oil companies, energy firms — that surely would want to jump on this bandwagon.

Whatever the expense, a tax credit could prove a useful investment, saving taxpayers money in the longer run — by ensuring aboriginal groups are brought onside early in a project’s development.

That would help avoid costly and time-consuming court battles that inevitably flow from aboriginals feeling their treaty rights have been disrespected.

Certainly the task of consultation often is being botched by governments, the parties with the legal duty to consult.

I wrote of a December court decision ordering B.C. to fork over $2 million to a logging company in northeastern B.C. because bureaucrats neglected to adequately consult aboriginals who trapped in the area. They also neglected to warn the logging company before it began work about the aboriginals’ intention to blockade any harvesting attempt.

In a recent news release, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, the B.C. Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Summit, together cited “countless examples where Canada has refused to enter into meaningful negotiations with First Nations to implement rights that are affirmed by federal and provincial courts.”

Dirom suggests it may be “more productive for the industry to start that relationship (with first nations) early.”

Corporate interests, driven by a profit motive and often having shareholders to satisfy, could do a better job of approaching aboriginal groups and sensitively carrying out mutual-interest consultations.

This won’t be the case with every corporate interest: witness the clumsy way Enbridge has engaged aboriginal communities to be affected by its Northern Gateway pipeline project.

But a tax credit could help smaller companies put in the time and effort apparently required for more positive outcomes.

Dirom says “engagement” can account for as much as 20 per cent of a company’s exploration budget.

His association, in its Winter 2013 Mineral Exploration publication, reveals it soon will release an Aboriginal Engagement Guidebook, “to provide principled guidance and practical advice to mineral explorers in B.C.”

The publication notes, “Mineral exploration today requires achieving a social licence to operate among the first nations on whose traditional territories they are exploring.

“The key to engagement is to get in early and start a conversation.”

The publication advises explorers to build relationships with the chief and council, band office staff, elders and youth. “Spend time with all of them and find out who the influential people and decision makers are.”

Dirom points to the example of geologist Robert Quartermain, CEO of Pretium Resources Inc., exploring the Brucejack gold project in northern B.C.

Quartermain is learning greetings and other phrases in Gitxsan, Gitanyow, Nisga’a and Skii km Lax Ha, to better communicate with First Nations in the area.

Such personalized engagement could help define the “duty to consult” requirement that has become so integral to resource development in B.C.

With a tax credit in place, energetic engagement certainly becomes more affordable.

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Saskatoon loves its Christmas lights. The Enchanted Forest draws thousands of vehicles each week. The late Bob Hinitt worked for months building his light display, which drew thousands of cars each year to Wiggins Avenue. And Scott Lambie on Clinkskill Drive has continued the tradition with more than 70,000 dancing lights (up from 50,000 last […]

When it comes to gift giving, they say it’s the thought that counts. But many are wondering if Mayor Drew Dilkens was thinking at all when he gave Olympic superstar Michael Phelps — whose battles with booze are well known — a big bottle of Canadian Club whisky.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.